Hot topics in March

Kosmos

Culture, travel, fashion and culinary delights: the Kosmos pages of Lufthansa Magazin bring you interesting and useful tidbits from around the world

Law

Culture clash

All are equal before the law – but not all laws are the same. Globetrotters are well advised to familiarize themselves with some of the more arcane rules:

Look up!

Check your phone to see that you’re on the right road? Not in Honolulu: Anyone caught looking down at a cell phone while crossing the street in the capital of Hawaii faces a fine of 100 dollars.

Squeaky clean

It’s common knowledge that Singapore imposes tough penalties on gum chewers, but hygiene and cleanliness are otherwise writ large in the city state, too. Failing to flush a public toilet will earn you a minimum fine of 1000 dollars.

Leaving a mark

Sightseeing in high heels? Not only are stilettoes uncomfortable and inconvenient, they’re also prohibited in Greece because the heels can damage ancient monuments.

Simply sacred

A crumpled paper cube inspired the architects at S.M.A.O. to create a postmodern chapel in Spain. It is completely empty so that visitors can devote themselves to the effect of its quirky shape – and their faith.

Culture clash

The cherry blossom is the symbol of Japanese culture. Today, it is celebrated the world over.

Bento, beer & sake

The Japanese start celebrating the cherry blossom in late March with hanami, a traditional picnic in the park. Spots beneath the loveliest trees are highly coveted and often reserved with plastic tarps first thing in the morning.

North german privilege

Hamburg, Melbourne and Washington are the only cities outside of Japan that are permitted to crown an official cherry blossom princess. Hamburg, which has 5000 Japanese flowering cherry trees, puts on a grand firework display in May.

Southern belle

Macon, a small town in the U.S. state of Georgia, is the unofficial cherry blossom capital of the world. Starting in mid-March, it is engulfed in a sea of blossoms. The Cherry Blossom Festival includes concerts, parades and an air show.

Send your best photo!

Like taking pictures related to flying? Send a photo to LHmagazin@territory with “skyfie” in the subject line and every month, we’ll publish the best submission right here and online at LH.com/magazin.